5 Militants Killed in Shopian Encounter; Hizbul Leader, Kashmir Professor May be Among Them

Top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Saddam Padder is also believed to be among the slain militants, Press Trust of India reported, but police officials said it can only be confirmed after ascertaining the identity of the slain terrorists.

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Srinagar: Five unidentified militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, police said.

Top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Saddam Padder is also believed to be among the slain militants, Press Trust of India reported, but police officials said it can only be confirmed after ascertaining the identity of the slain terrorists.

A police official said the identity and the group affiliation of the slain militants are being ascertained.

The encounter broke out after security forces launched cordon and search operation in Badigam village in Zainapora area of the south Kashmir district following specific information about the presence of militants in the area.

A Kashmir University assistant professor, who went missing on Friday, is believed to be among the slain militants. Mohammad Rafi Bhat, a contractual assistant professor in the Sociology department of the university, went missing on Friday.

Bhat, a resident of Chundina area of central Kashmir's Ganderbal district, was to join militant ranks and reportedly is among the militants who were trapped in Badigam.

He said the police brought his family from Ganderbal to persuade him to surrender.

After receiving the input about his presence there, we brought his family from Ganderbal to persuade him to surrender, but so far, repeated attempts have not materialized, Pani had said earlier in the day.

Bhat's family informed the university authorities about his disappearance on Saturday.

Protests had rocked the university yesterday over his disappearance, following which the university's vice chancellor met the protesting students and assured them that all efforts would be made to trace the missing professor.

The vice-chancellor had also written to the Director General of Police, requesting him that all efforts be made to trace Bhat's whereabouts.